Cloth-piling machine.



W. M. SWERDLU VE. CLOTH PILING MACHINE. APPLI GATION FILED FEB.6,1909.

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CLOTH FILING MACHINE.

APPIQLIA 'UON TILED P131311, 1909.

Patented Oct. 25, 1910 7 SHEET S-SHEET 24 ivi rue-an as W. M. SWERDLOVE.

CLOTH FILING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED I-EB,6,1909. I

Patented Oct. 25, 1910.

7 SHEETSSHEET 3.

W. M. SWERDLOVE. ULOTH PILING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.6\1909.

Patented Oct. 25, 1910.

-7 SHEETSBHEET 4,

t .a LU. U123 W. M. SWERDLOVE. CLOTH FILING MAGHINH APPLICATION FILED r23. 6, 1909.

Patented Oct. 25, 1910.

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' 1 CLOTH FILING MACHINE. urmonmn P111111) FEB. e, 1909 Patented Octl 25, 1910.

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- W. M. SWERDLOVR, CLOTH PILING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. s, 1909.

973,891. Patented Oct. 25, 1910.

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CLOTH-FILING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 6, 1909.

Patented Oct. 25, 1910.

Serial No. 476,434.

To all whom it may concern r r Be it known that I, \VnaaaM M. Swnao- Lovn, a subject of the Czar (rt-Russia, and a resident of New York,- borough of Bronx, county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cloth-Piling Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact descri pt i on. i This invention relates more particularly to a machine which will automatically spread or place a plurality. of layers of cloth or fabric upon a table or support.

The primary object of the invention to provide a simple and ctlicient machine which lsadaptcd-to autonmt'ically lay or spread a number of layers of cloth one upon another in such a way that the cloth may be taken from a source of supply and deposited upon .20 a table or other support provided therefor,

vide a carrier or carriagewhieh may be run by electric power, and which is adapted to move along a 'track located upon a table; to provide means at. or near each end of the machine, or the length of travel ofthe car-- 0' riage, which will be automatically actuated so as to receive thesuceessive layers and cause the same to be properly deposited upon the table. or support; to provide simple means for automatically reversing. the dirction of movement of the carrier; to provide simple means whereby the distance of travel of the carrier may be varied according to the material which is being laid or the length of the successive layers, and to pro- 'vide means for automatically stopping the carriage-and feed of the material at any desiredpoint. along the table or support or at the starting point only.

A further object of the invention is to 5 provide simple and efficient supporting means for the cloth or fabric atthe feeding end of the machine, and to provide simple and ctiicient tension means for the fabric.

A still further objeebiof the invention is to provide simple and efficient means whereby the material may be properly guided as it' is laid and held to the table or support, and to provide simple means for cutting the material transversely thereof.

With these and other objects in view, the invention will be hereinafter more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this spm-ification, and will then be pointed out in the claims at the end of the description.

In the drawings. Figure/l; is a side elevation of the starting end of the machine showing how the belts or rolls of fabric may be held at one end of the machine, and also one means for holding the successive layers of cloth held to adapt the machine to work autoinaticallyl Fig. 2 shows a different position of the cloth tension device at the supply end'of the machine. Fi 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of adjusting means for the cloth holding device. .Fig. 4 is a side elevation, partly broken away,'of the carriage for feeding the fabric or material and for depositing the same on'a table or support, also the clamping means for holding the edge of the material and for receivingand holding the material at the end of travel of the carriage. Fig. 5 is an end view, partly dia rammatic, member supported on the carriage. Fig. 6 is an. end view of the carriage or cloth carrier. Fig. 7 is an end elevation, partly broken away, showing how the bolts 01 rolls of cloth are sup ortcd and adjusted .to cause the material to e roperly fed. Fig. 8 is a detail plan view oPone oi the end gri pin and holding devices. Fig. 9 is a data] si e elevation of the device shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a. fragmentary detail lan view of one form of device which may be employed to clamp and hold the material atthe edges. Fig. 11 s a side'elevation of the device shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a detail perspective afiefw of one of the clamping dogs or members formin a part of the device shown in Figs. 10 an 11. Fi 13 is a fragmentary transversesection, s owin how the gripping and clamping or holding device at the ends of the machinemay be adjustably'held to a table or support. Fi 14 is a section of the guide taken on theline XIV- IV Fig. 8,

1 for holding showing, in elevation, the stop for the carriage reversing mechanism. Fig. 15 1 8 a fragmentary plan view, partly in section, showing how a transverse cutter or knife may be arrangedto move across the guide member of the carriage. Fig. 1G isa detail plan of the guide member with a part thereof removed to show the cutter in elevation. Fig. 17 shows a detail elevation of the hook the knife or cutter against movement. Fig. 18 is a detail elevation, partly in section, of the guide; andFigs. 19 to 22 are views, partly diagrammatic, showing the different positions of the guide.

While I shall show one means for carrymg my invention into etfect in which the layers of fabric are deposited upon a table or support-in an particular way, it will be understood that the machine may be vari- 20 ously constructed to adapt the same for the purpose intended, and that various changes may be made in the construction and operation of the machine without departing from the character of the invention.

Ordinarily the cloth or fabric is deposited upon a table or ers and the layers are piled to a thickness of more or less, the articles to be made from the fabric are cut. Tue fabric to be laid is moved along the table, andat one end is held so that the carrying means for the fabric may be made to return to" the starting point where the fabric is again held. During the movement and laid on the table at the same time.

The support --or table may be of any desired lcn th, and at one end thereof may be provide with one or more devices 1.]. for supporting the belts or rolls of fabric. shown there are two supporting devices 11,

' and these each comprise two uprights or ;or rolls of material are of standards 12 is held 'a cloth-supporting element or device 13. Each device 14 which transverse] are connected at.

-extendin rods 15 in which said rods are shdingly he d, and projecting outfrom one of the brackets 14 is a shaft or stem 16, while' from the other bracket extends ashaft or stem 17 both of-which are held to rotatein the hprights 12.

13 comprises two bracketstheir ends bv' movable about the stems 16 and l? are the cams 1!). 'lhcse rams 19 are each pivolally held to the stems and are substantially S shaped in form, and have the ram surfaces 20 and 21 which are ada ted to engage the ends of the transverse rods 15 so as to force the same outward trom the center and to lock said rods in this position to properly sustain the roll or bolts of cloth, ezu-h ram being provided '\\'ith one or more projections for the purpose of providing suitable handles to rotate the cams. By this means various kinds and sizes of bolts, rolls of. cloth or fabric may be positively held and rot.-|t',-tbl v supported so that the material may be readily llll\\"()l1l'l(l from the devices 13.

The devices =12-lwmay be adjusted transversely of the machine for the purpose of alining the 't'lollt to cause the same to be laid properly onto the table 10. Various means may be employed to seizure this adjustment. As shown the stein 17 may be provided at one end with an arm '23, and said arm may have a boss 24. which is adapted to lit about a threaded stud 25, and the end :26 of the threaded stud engages a threaded opening in one of the uprights 11' while the other endlias a serrated head 27 which when rotated will move the arm 23 toward or from the upright 12, and thereby 9 adjust each of the devices 13 with the cloth supported thereby transversely ol the maclnne.

lhe cloth or fabric may be removed from a single-bolt or roll, or more than one as preferred. As shown the fabric is removed from two bolts or rolls, and these are passed about. a tension device 2!) which is supported on brackets 30 extending outward from the inner uprights "12. The outer ends of the brackets-"30 form a part of the tension de-' vice and are each provided with a. plurality of openings ()1f il])(5ll l|lQS 31. which are adapted to be engaged by a pin or device. 32 carried by;,the pivotally held membersjlil. These members-33 are each provided with a semi-circular. portion 34 and upwardly projecting arms 35. between which extends a rod or a roll 36, and beneath the roll 30 is a second roll or rod 37 which serves'as a pivot for the members 33. The fabric is passed about the roll or rod 36 and between said roll and the' rod 37 so that by shifting the roll 36 relatively both desired.

To automatically carry the cloth or fabric and to deposit the same properly upon the $9 be unwound therefrom. ach bracket 14 bed or table t p 38, var ous means may be lgslotted as at 18, to permit the rods 15 to employed. As shown a carriage or movable be :moved toward or rom the center, and "element 39 is provided, Figs. 4 and 6, which is adapted to move back and forth along the l bed or table top. and as it moves barb and forth to lay and spread the fabric until the desired number of layers have been placed upon the table. T he carriage or member 39 comprises-a suit-able frame 40 formed by two side pieces 41 and 42 which are suitably braced and held apart, and at the lower portion of each frame piece. are held the truck wheels 43 which are adapted to travel along the rails 44 forming a track along the table top or bed. The rails 44 forming the. track may be of any suitable form, and said rails may be substantially wedge-shaped, and mounted upon the frame may be a suitable motor 441. This motor may have the electric current supplied thereto in any desired way to adapt the carriage 3-) to mo e back and forth along the table. and said current of electricity may be either through a trolley located overhead (not shown) which adapted to engage a wire and moved back and forth with the carriage, or the said carriage or device may have a shoe which adapted to travel along a rail located adja cent to its path of movement. The motor has its armature shaft provided at one end with pulleys 45 and 46. A belt 47 passes arounr. the. pulley 45 and around a pulley 48 loosely arranged on a transverse]y-extending shaft 49, while a belt 50 passes around the pulley 46 on the motor shaft and also around a pulley 51 normally held to rotate independently of a. transverselymxtending shaft. 52 so that the shaft 52 when rotated by the belt 50, as will be presently described, will move in the direction opposite to that of the shaft 49. That is to say the shaft 49 is intended to move the carriage or device 39 in one direction along its track and the shaft 52 is adapted to move said device or carriage in the opposite direction. The shafts 49 and 52 are provided with pulleys 53 at or near the ends thereof. and around these pulleys 53 pass the belts 54, and said belts also pass around pulleys :35, which are held on the studs or shafts located at the lower portion of the frame pieces 4.1 and 42. Each pulley 55 has a pinion 5f, rotatably held thereto, and this pinion is in mesh with a gear 5?,Fig. (3, carried by one of the truck wheels 43, so that each truck wheel independently mounted on the frame and rotated by the motor M, though it will be seen that instead of, the motor other means may be employed for moving the truck, and other connections and as shown maybe employed for imparting movement to the carriage. v

' As the carriage completes its travel according -to the length of layers to be made, it is necessary, if the machine is to be entirely automatic, that the direction of move-- ment of the carriage be changed automafi cally, This may be done in any desired way."

A clutch member 58, Fig. 6, is held to rotate with each of the shafts 49 and 52, and this clutch member may be provided with one or more teeth 59 which are adapted to be moved into engagement with one or more teeth (30 carried by pulleys 48 and 51. A lever 61 is pivotally held at 62 to the top 63 of the machine frame, and one arm, as 64, is adapted to shift the clutch member 58 to cause the teeth thereof to engage the teeth ('30 of the. pulley 51, while thearm 65 is adapted to engage the clutch memb r of the shaft- 19 and shift. the same to cause said shaft to rotate with the pulley 48 or remain stationary according to the direction of movement of said lever, This lever (31 has a rod 66 projecting outwardly therefrom, and this rod is engaged by the upper end of a lever 07, which latter is pivoted at (38 to one side of the carriage frame, and its other end is provided with a boss 69 in which is arranged an adjustable bolt. 70. The bolt 70 may be adjustably held to the boss ('39 by the nuts 70 or otherwise, and is adapted to engage a spring-pressed stop 71, Figs. 4, and 14, arranged to move in a projection 79, forming a part of a frame 73 located at o 'mosite ends of the machine table or bed. The. stop 71 has its stem passing through an opening in thelug or projection 72, and in said opening is arranged a spring 73 which adapted ,to force the stop 71 in one direction, and on the outer end. of the .be thrown in a direction to move either one of the clutches into engagement with the pulleys to rotate eithei of-theshafts 49 and The stop located atthe st.artiiigpoint-- or the cloth-supply end of the machine will shift the lever so as to cause that shaft to rotate which will move the carriage in one directioiawvliile the stop at the opposite end of the. nnaahine. or thatshown in Fig. 4 will shift the lever 67 in the opposite direction and cause theclutch 58 to rotate the other shaft and thereby move the carriage or device backward or in the opposite direction. The stops 7t ma be. so adjusted that. the lever 67 will be thrown to an interi'nediate position and thereby disengage 'both clutches from the shafts 49 and 52 causing the carriage to stop at one end, as it vis usually desirable that the carriage stop at the supply end of the machine at each return movement, the operator in this case starting the machine after the carriage has traveled the length of the table and back again by moving the lever 67 by hand, or by controlling the electric source of supply to the motor by means of a switch, as at 76, in Fig-1.

To calrrythe fabric with the carriage and to holdthe same at each end of the table or at the end of travel of the carriage or device 39. I provide the cloth or fabric so as to he held by a suitable guide, and this guide or device is adapted to direct. the fabric into 3 gripping and holding devices located at. the supply end of the machine, and at any desired point along the table or support according to the length of the layers. The. device or guide 77, Figs. 1 and 5, and Figs. 15 to 18, has a body portion 78 provided with shanks or studs 7,!) projecting from each end thereof which are adapted to enter openings in the frame side pieces 11 and -12 so as to serve as a pivot for the guide by which the latter may be rocked or oscillated. The body portion of the guide or device 77 may be enlarged centrally toward each edge so as to provide rounded edges 80 and 81, and substantially central ot the guide or device is a slot or opening 82 in which are rotatably held the rolls and 8-1. The cloth, either one or more pieces, is passed from the bolts or rolls at. the supply end,'and over a roll 85 which has its end journaled in brackets 86 projecting outward from the. frame and-on saidroll, Fig 0, are guides 87 and 88 either or both of which may be adjustable on the roll, and between which the piece or pieces of cloth arcfadapted to move so as to be properly positioned and fed properly to the table or bed, and said cloth is passed between the rolls S3 and 84 when the guide is in the normal position or that;- shown in Figs: 19 and 21. Befoi e starting the machine one end of the piece or=pieces of fabric is held at the=supply end by meansof a grip pingand clamping device 89. there being also a similar gripping or clamping and holding device 90 for the fabric at the other end of the table .or bed, or at any desired point along the table according tothc length of layers to he made. As previously stated, in the cloth-laying trade, a layer does not comprise simply a single piece of the fabric or material, but; thelayer in this sense is in-v tended to mean the fabric as laid by a complete movement and return of the carriage to its'starting point. In other words ifa single piece of fabricis to be laid then the layer will comprise the piece of the fabric as laid by the carriage during one movement and the superposed piece laid on top of the same during the return movement of the carriage, and to makd the machine automatic it is necessary that the gripping and holding devices S9 and J0 grip and hold the fabric and deposit. the same onto the table at each movement of the carriage or conveying dcvice at both ends of the machine ,The gripping and iholdi g devices 80 and may .eof any suitable orm of construetion. 1 As shoi'vneach device ias its frame 731 comprismgtwo end pieces 1 and 92. and

each of which has,;- the projection 72 and sprmg'pressed stop 1 whereby the direction of movement of tie carriage or device :39

thereof, and tapered rods 03 and one of said pieces, as 92, may

ma Y be connected to ether b one .or more have a cut-away or beveled part 94: which is adapted to engage the bevel side 95 of one of the track rails and the other frame piece or member is adapted to rest on the upper edge of the other tract? rail; The frame piece 91 may be provided with a plurality of clamps 90 which have threaded stems passing through a part of said frame piece and has one end ei'rgaging a part of the table or bed so as to positively hold the frame and the mechanism carried thereby in its adjusted posit-ion. the extension or part 97 which carries the lug or projection 72 being formed as a partof only one of the frame side pieces, as the piece 91, of each device.

A rod 08 is rotatably held to the members of each of the frames 73 of the gripping and holding devices, and held to rock on said rod are the gripping and holding members 09 and 100 of a gripping device 101. The member 99 is provided with a plurality of arms 102 which are held atone end to the rod 98, and at the other end are connected together by a transverse bar 103, and projecting outward from the transverse bar 103 or from the arms 99 are the gripping jaws 104 which are opposed to the gripping jaws 105 carried by the member 100. This member 100 also comprises a plurality of arms 106 which are connected toge'Y eT by a transverse bar 108, and said arms 106 are held to the rod 98 in sucha way that the jaws 105 and 10% may be opened and closed to grip the cloth. The lower member 99 has theoutward projecting arm 109 on each side thereof, and each arm 109 is provided with a countcrbalancing weight 110, while the upper member 100 is provided with arms 111. the outer ends of which are pivotally held to rods 112 which pass through the arms 109, and on the outer endof. said rods are the springs 113 which may be held againstthe arms 109 by a nujt'llt or otherwise so as to normally force the jaws 104! and 105' together'to grip the cloth. When the jaws 105 are opened as will be presently described, they maybe held in this position by a dog or detent 115 w'hicly-is pivoted to one end of a stationary bar 116, and said dog is adapted to engage a lag or projection 117 on the arms 109. The bar 110 at each sideof the machine is fixed to the rod or shaft 98 and a second bar 117 is provided with a slot-117" at one end to have a certain lengthwise movement on the rod 98, and said .bar is'pr'ovided with apin 118 which is adapted to engage'the outer end of an arm 11$). This arm 119 is provided with-a slot 119 at one end to s an the rod 98 and to have a limited lengt iwise movement thereon, and at its outer end is ivoted, at 120, to the dog or detent 115, the g being normally forced inward into engaging position by means of a spring 121 which is fastened at one end to the dog 115. and its other end to one of the frame pieces. -The outer end of the arm or bar 117 is slotted, as at 122, and this slot is adapted to be engaged by a pin 123 carried by an outwardly-extending arm or bracket 124 which is connected to the holdin member 100. This arm or bracket 1'21 inclines inwardly toward the carriage so as to provide an inclined edge or surface 125 and a curved. surface or recess 126; and said bracket 124 at'each side of the machine is adapted to be enga ed 'bya roll 127 carried by an arm 128 'liCiL vpiojects outwardly from the stationary rotl or'shaft 129 at the rear of the carriage. There are arms 130 atwthefront of the carriage having roll 131 carried by said arms and said arms are held to a rod 132 on ,the side of the carriage opposite to tlia-tof the rod 129. The 'roll 131 on the arms 130 is for operating the gripping and holding device 89, while the arms 128 and roll 127 are. for operating the gripping and holding device '90. its will be seenwhen the carriage movesforward to carry the fabric therewith as shown In Fig: l, the

' roll 127 will engage the brackets 124 and will raise the members 99 and 100 to the powith the lug or pro ection 117' on each side.

of the device so as to permit the spring 113 to force the jaws 104 toward the jaws 105 as gri p the cloth.

The jaws 10 4fand 105 of themembers 99 and 190 are spaced apart, 'and in alinement with the jaws 'the' edges of the guide are cut away, asat 133, on each-edge thereof to per mil; the jawsjto enter said recesses or cutaway jiarts'to pro eriy grip'the material when the latter ed therein 'hy' the movement, of the guide and the carriage At one end of the machine, as 'ffil'f example, thatshown in Fig.4, the guide is positioned to force the cloth between the jaws of'the device 90, but on the return movement of the carriagetlie guide must be moved to a different position or that show! in E g. 22 to feed [the materialinto tl'ie jawsof the device 89,.

and to securetthis guile shafto'r stem is provided'wi a" 'pmion 135,?Figs-Q 4 and G, which is adapted tobe e'ngaged bythe teeth of a segment 136 which is held to move with an arm 137. This arm 137 is pivoted at 138 to one side of the frame and 13 of suflicient weight to normally force the guide to the positions shown in Figs. 19 and 21, andsaid arm has its end adapted to move along the incline or cam edge. 139 of a date 140 which" may be adjustablyheld to t e extension 97 of the devices 89 and 90, though a weight or spring may be used to normally hold the arm 137 in the position shown in Figs.- 19

and 21. The plate 140 may be slotted, as at 141, and may be guided by a pin 142 and held to the extension 97 of the frame by a nut 143 or otherwise. As the carriage moves adjacent to the gripping device 90, the leyer 137 will engage the device l tOand throw" the lever to the position to cause the ment to rotate the gear or pinion 135 to throw the guide to the position shown in Fig. 20, and when the carriage is moved in the opposite direction as .already described i and engages a similar cam device 140 located on the frame of the gripping and holding device 89, the said lever will be moved in the oppoiste direction so as to force the guide to the position shown in dotted'lines in Fig. 22 ready to force the material between the jaws of said device 89. The guide is thus given 'over a tlu'ee-tplarters turn aml this movement first causes the clothto pass about one edge of the guide amt at the next movementof the shuttle about the other end engage the cloth 'and by the weight thereofthereof.

The arms 144a re pivotally held to eachof the shafts 132 and 129. and on. the 'outer'eud of said arms are rolls 145 which are tapering" from the center thereof, and are adapt'cdto to forcethe same downwardproperly onto the table bed or support as the carriage moves either backward or forward, and said roll serves to force thenan' from under-the cloth or fabric as the same is fed fronrthe .held together that as the carriage travels it will automatically lift, the engaging part guide during the movement, of the carriage.

I To hold the cloth at its ed es and tolbe adjustable to the different thic mess of'eloth' according to the number of layers placed on the table, I provide at either or both edges, preferably along both edges; at distances apart a clamping device 146. This clamp or device 146, Figs. 4 and 10 t0 12, may comprise a plurality of members which are so and cause the same to clamp thematerial or layers of material at the edges thereof. As'

shown the device comprises a base 147. provided with lugs 148" and 149; and to the lug 148 is pivoted a. bell-crank l'ever 14!)2 one arm of which carries a roll 150, and. the other, arm is pivoted at 151 to an arm 152.-

A link 153 is pivoted at oneend to one end of the arm 152, and' its'o'therend to. the'lug 149, and said arm 152 carries a dog or engaging part 154 at its! outer-end. This dog 154 IS pivoted at 155 to the arm and is provided with a jaw 156 and with an extension 157 which is adapted to he raised and tilted above the layer of cloth as it is deiosited, and to assume its proper 'iosition when the arm is lowered as shown in Figs. 4. 1t) aml 11. spring 158 normally forces the. arm 152 downward, and arranged on the carriage at each side thereof is a bar 159 which has its edges 1G0 curved to: form engaging ends, and which are adapted to engage the rolls. 150 of the bell-crank levers 1-19, and force them downward to raise the arms 15:! against the tension of the "springs 158 to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 11.

It. is desirable at times to cut the material transversely and partieul'arlv at the return movement of the. carriage. This may he eli'ected in various ways. .\s shown in Figs. 15 to 18. the shuttle T7 is provided with a removable member or plate H31 and between this member or plate lt'tl and the main part of the guide is arranged transversel v-extending plates or bars 113'. and 162i forming a space ltH between them'in winch a cutter or knife 165i is adapted to move. This cutter 16? mar be circular. and is held to a stud 77 by reason or shaft 166 carried-by a guide or knife-bar 16] which is adapted to slide longitttdinall'y of-the guide 77, andis held to move in grooves in the bars or plat'es 162 and 163. A pinion 168 is held to I'rotate with the cutter-(and this pinion lfi tltltllltetl-ttl mesh with the teeth of a rack 16!) extending longitudinally of the guide in the groove or space 164. 'lo the bracket or bar 167 is connected a rod 169, and this rod may he provided with 'an eye 170 'which is adapted to be engaged by a hook 171 when the cutter is not to he used, but when the. hook 171 is released, the rod 1G9 maybe drawn across the machine and will carry the cutter In? therewith so' as to cut. the cloth or fabric. the latter being held almut the edge of the guide of the tension of the ditl'erel'tt devices. The side piece 41of theecarriage frame may he provided with tin-opening 1T2 sothat the hand may he passed theretln-ongh to disengage the hook l't'tttrmove the cutter across the shuttle. the eutteriwing normally -ont of the path of the cloth.

' The construction aml operation ofthe invention will be readily understood from the foregoing description when taken in cona 0 a nectton wlth the accom m-nvmg drawings.

The cloth or fabric in the"-formof one or more rolls or bolts is held to the devices 13 so as to rotate in the uprights 12. and the piece of each roll or bolt iseaused to pass between the rods or rolls 36 and 37 of the. tension device and then aroutul the roll 85 of the carriage or device 39.-and from there around the guide 77 so as'to pass between the rolls 83 and 84, and the free, end of the mg so superposed piece is passed under the roll H5, and is held between the gripping jaws 104 and 105 of the gripping device 89 located adjacent to the source of supply of the cloth or fabric. The carriage is then caused to travel along the bed or table topl 38, and this may be done by operating -t e switch to supply the current to the motor 44" of the carriage, the proper clutch having been reviously caused to rotate the proper sha as 4 for example, and through it move the carriage forward along the table by means of the connection with said shaft and motor and the wheels 43 of said device. As the carriage travels along the track the guide 77 will assume the. position shown in Fig. 19 and it will remove the clot-h fromthe reel, reels. or deviges 1?, and as one end thereof is held by the gripping and holding device '89, the superposed pieces of cloth will be deposited and forced upon the table top and as the carriage or device 39 moves along, the bar 1339 on each side of the carriage frame will successively engage the rolls 150 and will raise the dogs 154 carried by the arms 152 of each holding device 146 in advance of the laying of the cloth'so as to cause the said dog to engage the upper surface of the cloth and hold the same at intervals and at the edges thereof along the superposed layers. \Yhen the carriage or device 39 is about to reach its length of travel, the lever 137 will engage the cam edge 139 of the cam plate 140 and will throw the'lcver on its pivot so as to oscillate and rock the uide to the position shown in dotted. lines in higs.

--t and 20 at which time the fabric is made to pass about the end 81 of the guide. As the carriage reaches the ,end of its travel, the arms 12S carrying the roll 1'27-will ride upon the inclined surface of the bracket; 121 of the gripping members 99 and 100 and will raise the same on its pivot or rod 98, and during such movement will open the jaws ttlt aml 10.7 to position the same so that. as

the carriage advances the guide will force the cloth or fabric between said jaws. The carriage will move slightly farther and in dothe rolls '12? carried thereby will engage the bars 117 and will force the same outwardly so as to cause the pins 118.to en-l gage the bars or arms 119 and through them throw the dogs out of engagement with the teeth or projections 117 of the member 109 so that the springs 113 will cause the .two sets of awsto be brought together to' hold andgrip'the'cloth. As this move ment is ett'ectei'l, the bolt 70 at one end of the lever (37 willengage the stop 71, and this will shift the lever on pivot 68 and bv means-of the rod tlt will shift the clutch lever. t3 1 on its )ivot so that-the clutch car-' the teeth -of a pulley' or druii' 51 and thereby rotate the shaft 52 and cattse the carriage 13o or device to move back to the starting point;

4 During the backwand or return movement of the carriage or device 39, the cloth or fabric will be held \by the clamping jaws of the device 90, and as the carriage moves along thesupport the clamping and grippin device'90 'will lower so as to deposit the clot on the table bed, and as said carriage continues to move the guide will assume the position shown in Fig. 21 and will successively raise the dogs 154 of the holding dc .vices 146 to permit the latter to hold the upper member of each layer, the said dogs b8111 normally forced to their holding position liy means of the springs 158. The rolls 145 carried by the forward end of the carby means of the switch 76 or it may be pilin automatically-stoppcd by adjusting the stop or device 71 so thatw it. will move the lever ti? to throw the clutches on the shafts it) and 52 to an intermediate position thereby disengaging both clutches from the pulleys while the motor may continue to rotate. At

this point orat any other desired point the 'fabric or pieces of fabric may be cut transversely by means of the cutter 165 which may be forced transversely of the machine by the rod 169 as alreadywlescribed.

\Vhile the carriage or device forming .the

m'eans for the fabric is shown as bemg riven by an electric motor mounted .thereon; it will be understood that the carriage or device 39 may be operated in any other desired way. v

From the foregoing it will be seen that one or more pieces of cloth may be automatically'deposited upon a table or support; that simple means are provided where )y the cloth or fabric may be held on each end; thata simple carrying and piling device is provided for the cloth, which device is so operated that it will automatically position the cloth to be held at each end of the travel of said device; that simple means are provided for cutting the cloth transversely; that simple and'efiicient means are provided for automatically actuating the.- carria e;

that simple meansare provided for holdm'g the cloth at the edges and for causing the cloth -,to be deposited properl upon the table or so port, and that-snap e means are provided fiir adjusting the cloth or fabric transversely in order that it may be fed properly-'jn'the carriage and to the table.

automatically operating the reversing .mech-.-

anism to change the direction of movement of the carriage, an oscillating guide arranged to oscillate on the carriage around vwhich the fabric is adapted to pass; gripping and clamping devices located on, opposite sides of the carriage in the pathof movement thereof. means whereby the cloth ma be autonmtically directed by the guide into the gripping and clamping devices during the movement of the carriage, and means for holding the edges of the cloth asit'is deposited upon the table.

2. The combinationwith a sup ort, of a source of supply for the fabric ocat'ed atone end of said support, meanswhereby a plurality of pieces of cloth may be superposed, a carriage movable along the sup )ort and having a device thereon around w iic'h the cloth or fabric is caused to ass, gripping and clamping devices locat on opposite sides of the carria e in the path of move mcnt thereof, means or automatically actuating said devices, together with means for holding the. edges of the cloth as it 'is deposited upon the-support to be automatically actuated by the carriage as'it moves back and forth on said support.

3. The combination with a table having a track thereon, of a carriageadapt'ed to travel along said track andhaving a guide thereon around which the fabric is adapted to'pass, fabric engaging devices held to the'ca rriage on opposite sides thereof", means mounted on the carriage for moving the same in either direction along the. track, holding devices .rtm

adapted to clamp the edgesof the gclothand automatically actuated during the movementof the carriage, mechanism for reversing the direction of movement-of the carriage, means for oscillating the guide, and r1 pingand clamping devices ad'ust'ably ie (1 to the table on opposite sides 0 the carriage and having means adapted to be automat callhol the same during the movement of said carriage.

4. The combinatitin with atable having a track thereon, of azcarriage adapted to travel along said track and having a guide thereon around which the fabric is adapted to ass, means for moving the sa'meixi either d1rection alon the track, mechanism for reversing theirection of movement, of the caractuated sons to receive the fabric and riage,

clutch mechanism, means means for oscillating the guide, gri ping and clamping devices adjtistably he (1 to the table on opposite sides of the carriage and having means adapted to be automatically actuated so as to receive the fabric and hold the same during the movement of said carriage, and means for holding theedgcs of the cloth as it is deposited upon the table.

The combination with a table having a track thereon, of a carriage adapted to travel along said track and having a guide thereon around which the fabric is adapted to pass, vertically movable rolls held to the carriage on opposite sides thereof, means mounted on the carriage for moving the same in either direction along the track, mechanism for reversing the direction ,of movement of the carriage, means for oscillating the guide, and gripping and clamping devices held to the table on opposite sides of the carriage and having means adapted to be automatically actuated so as to receive the fabric and hold the same during the movement of said carrimge.-

6. The combination with a table having a track thereon, of a carriage adapted to travel along said track and having means around which the cloth moving the same in either direction along the track; mechanism for reversing the direction of movement. of the carriage, movabie rolls tapering from the center and located on opposite sides of the carriage adapted to from under the fabrlc, and devices held to the carriage and automatically force the air gripping and clamping ,table on opposite sides of the having means adapted tobeactuated so-as to receive the "fabric and hold the same during the moveinent-of said earriage. i

7. The combination with a table having a track, of a carriageadapted to travel along said track and comprising a frame, fabric supporting means independent of the carriage from which the fabric is conveyed to said carriage, wheels for supporting the frame, a motor mounted on the frame, connections between the motor and the'wheels for driving the carriage in either direction, for operating the clutch mechanism to cause the carriage to move in either direction, together with means cooperating with the carriage to cause theeloth to be deposited along ,the table in super )osed layers.

8. The combination with a table having a .track, of a. carriage-adapted to travel along mid.tl-ack,;.a-.gripping and holding device co|'nprisiiig two'pivotally held members each provided -.w|th gripping aws spaced apart,

n'aekets' projectingout'ward from one of the members, meanstfillllt!(i by the carriage adapted to travel along said brackets and to raise the members of the gripping and holding device, weights normally forcing the is adapted to pass, means for ed to pass and ing said members in one direction, a spring normally forcing the members in a direction to cause the aws to move toward each other, a pivot- .ally held dog, a spring normally forcing the dog in one direction to engage a partof one of the members to cause the jaws to be placed in an open position. -a bar connected 'to the dog, an arm operated by' the carriage to cause the bar to disengage the dog from the member to .permit the spring to force the jaws together.

9. The combination with a table, of a car- .riage adapted to travel along said table, a

gripping and holding device comprising two 'pivotally held members each provided with gripping a\vs, means carried by the device adapted to be engaged by the carriage to raise the members of said device, means normally forcing the members in one direction, a spring normally forcing the members in the direction to cause the clamping jawsto move toward each other, a pivotaliy held dog, adapted to engage a part of one of the members to hold the in an open position,'means operated by the carriage to release the dog, and means for forcing the 'jaws together when the dog is released.

10. The combination with a support, of a carriage adapted to travel along said support, an oscillatory guide comprising a body having a substantially plate-like body provided with rounded edges, and provided with a slot centrally thereof. rolls journaled in said slot around which the cloth is adaptbe drawn, means for oscillatguide, together with means cooperating with the guide on the carriage to cause the cloth to be deposited in layers on the table.

11. The combination with a support, of a carriage adapted to travel along said support, means for holding the cloth at its ends, a. guide comprising a body having asubstantially plate-like body and provided with a slot centrally thereof, rolls jonrnaled in said slot around which the cloth is adapted to pass and be drawn, means for moving said guide, together with means cooperating with the guideon the carriage. to cause the cloth to be deposited in layers on the table.

12. vIn a cloth- )iling machine, the combination with a tab e, of a carriage adapted to travel"along said table, a guide mounted upon said carriage, a cutter slidingly held in one end of said-guide, a rod connected to the. cutter, means whereby the cutter may be rotated as the same is fOlfttl transv-rscly of the guide to 'cut the cloth, and means cooperating wit-h the shuttle and the carriage-to cause the cloth to be deposited along the table.

13. In a. cloth- )iliug machine, the combination with a tab e, of a carriage adapted to travel along 'said table a guide mounted upon said carriage, a cutter slidingly held in one end of said guide, means for moving the cutter lon itudinally of the guide to cut the cloth, am means cooperating with the guide and the carriage to cause the cloth to be deposited along the table.

14. In a cloth- )ilin machine, the combination with a table, of a carriage adapted to travel along said table, a uide mounted upon said carriage, a cutter s idingly held in one end of said guide, a rod connected to the cutter, apinion and a rack wherebythe cutter maybe rotated as the same is forced longitudinally of the guide to cut the cloth, and means cooperating with the guide and the carriage to cause the cloth to be deposited along the table.

15. The combination with a table, of a carriage adapted to travel along said table, means coiiperating with the carriage for guiding the cloth and depositing the same upon t 1e table, means for positively driving the carriage in either dilection including reversing mechanism, said mechanism having a lever as a part thereof, a sto means for adjusting the stop whereby the ever may be operated and thedirection of movement of the carriage changed, and means for holding the edges of the cloth as it is deposited upon the table.

--16. The combination with a table, of a carriage movable along said table, means 005 crating with the carriage to cause the cloti to be deposited in layers upon the table, to ethe'r with a holding device having a pivota lly'held dog, an arm to which the dog is held, a link, a spring 6r forcing the arm and dog downward, a bell-crank lever connected to the arm and means carried by the carria e for operating the bell-crank lever and or elevating the dog to cause the same to clamp each layer of materialas it is deposited upon the table.

17. The combination with a table, of a carriage movable along said table, means downward, a lever connected to the arm, and.-

means carried by the carriage for operating cotiplerating with the carriage to cause the the lever and for elevating the dogto cause the same to clamp each piece or layer of material as it is deposited upon the table.

18. The combination with a table, of a carriage adapted to travel along said table,

a device for holding the cloth comprising two rods, means for supporting the rods at their ends, a cam device for forcing the rods apart, means for adjusting the rods transversely, together with means for depositing the cloth in layers upon the table.

19. The combination with a table, of a carriage adapted to travel along said table, a cloth holding device comprising movable parallel rods, brackets supporting the ends of said rods, S-shaped cams pivotally mounted between the ends of said rods and adapted to force them apart, and means for-depositing the cloth inlayers upon the table.

20. The combination with a table, of a carriage adapted to travel along said table,

a device'for rotatably holding the cloth, a support for said device, together with a tension device carried by said support, and comprising brackets provided with a )lurality of openings, transversely-extending rods, one of which is movable-relatively to the other and around which the fabric from the said deviceT is'adapted to pass, plates carrying one of the rods, and a pin carried by, each of the plates adapted to eugagethe openings in the supporting brackets to adjustthe tension device.

21. The combination with a table, of a carriage adapted to travel along said table,

a device for. rotatably holding the cloth, a support for said device, together with a tension device carried by said support, and comprising brackets, transversely-extending rods, one of which is movable relatively to the other and around which the fabric from the said cloth holding device is adapted to pass, plates carrying one of the rods, and means for locking the movable rods indifferentpositions.

This specification signed and witnessed this 3rd day of February A. D. 1909.

\VILLIAM M. SWERDLOVE. Vitnesses:

W. A. TowNnR, Jr LsMan-m. 

